Anti-Androgenic Effects of Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum, better known as reishi, is one of the very top herbs in Chinese medicine. It has earned the reputation as the mushroom of immortality and is well known for its healthful effects across a broad spectrum of areas.

Yet, some men are steering clear of it for one reason…that it might by anti-androgenic. This is because it lowers DHT via 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibition.

Upon hearing about this, I had to dive deeper into the research. This article gives a summation of what is out there.

In castrated rats it was shown to significantly inhibit the testosterone-induced growth of the ventral prostate. This was done both with methanol and ethanol extracts, which functioned virtually the same.[1] In this study they stated:

“These results suggest that the suppression effect of prostatic growth by Ganoderma lucidum might come in part from its ability to act as an inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase.”

Much research was later done to find what constituents in reishi specifically were responsible for this action.

The components that appear to exert this action are thought to be in the triterpenoid fraction, most specifically ganoderols B and F. This is important in that this is pulled out more in alcohol (ethanol) extractions than water extractions.[2]

While significant, it is weak 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity and binding to androgen receptors. Ganoderol B also showed an ability to down-regulate androgen receptor activity and prostate specific antigen (PSA).[3]

Based on this research, a human study was launched. A total of 88 men with lower urinary tract symptoms were split into a reishi extract (6 mg once per day) group and those taking a placebo for twelve weeks of treatment. In the end the reishi group was found to have improved the men’s International Prostate Symptom Score, without any significant side effects. This was done without altering testosterone levels.[4]

Thus, if you’re a man with prostate issues, the benefits of reishi mushrooms may very well be something worth investigating further.

Also important is that reishi appears to down-regulate estrogen receptors as well. As discussed in our prostate article, while DHT is blamed for prostate issues, estrogen plays a big role in this as well.[5]

What About Men Who Want More DHT?

With this research, it’s looking at the very complicated reishi through a very narrow lens. That’s how science works. And it can teach us important things, but must always be brought back into a bigger picture.

Taking reishi isn’t going to cut your DHT by 80% like it did in the rat cells above.

I am not interesting in using a single “active” constituent of reishi, instead I want the “intelligence” of the whole mushroom. And I don’t really consider reishi a “hormonal” herb. In any case its effects are far less than some of the other herbs we have in this realm.

Now, there may be a few people that are very sensitive to DHT inhibition that might want to avoid reishi for this reason. If that’s the case, according to the above chart you likely want to avoid just about all mushrooms. As always we recommend experimenting and finding what works for you personally.

Even so, you could get a purely water extracted form which isn’t going to pull these triterpenes to the same degree, thus you could get many of the immune system benefits for instance but without this. Of course, those triterpenes also have many other positive effects, such as their nootropic action.

Logan Christopher

Logan Christopher has been called the Physical Culture Renaissance Man for his many wide-ranging feats of strength. His interest in herbalism, hormones and health began with seeking peak performance mentally and physically.

Weak compared to drugs that block that action. The research in this is still young and mixed. Examine said for example:

“Increases in testosterone have been reported in mice, and are synergistic with 5α-reductase inhibitors (including finasteride). After oral ingestion of 6mg ethanolic extract in older men, however, no significant effects were seen on circulating testosterone.”

They also mention that these effects are dose dependent. Since you mentioned you’re finding these symptoms yourself you may want to either reduce dose or stop taking reishi altogether. Plenty of other great herbs, including mushrooms are available.

Note that this study did not look at chaga (Inonotus obliquus), cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) or lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus, although it did look at another in the Hericium group)

If you carefully read the article, it states that Reishi is not going to threaten DHT levels like in the rat case study – If you are sensitive to DHT inhibition, you may want to avoid this (and probably all mushrooms) but of course, everyone is different and a trial and error method is usually a good idea to ascertain what is right for you.

So do not let fear hold you back. Our purpose is to delve into and deliver any and all research and information to you. Logan could not resist writing about this topic once he caught wind of it.
Knowledge is power, no?

If you consume SEA MOSS as a Whole Food Sea Vegetable RAW or Cooked
you have ZERO, NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH to worry about in reference to
CANCER.

The Same Pseudo Science Emphatically State RAW FOODIST have Low Testosterone because they DO NOT EAT Foods that Contain Cholesterol.

BULLSHIT !!!!!!!

I’m 100% RAW at 60 yrs of Age I have the SEX DRIVE of ROCCO SIFFREDI.

Whenever you Isolate a Constituent of an Herb or Plant Matter there
is potential for possible problems.

One Must Study Herbalism and Respect the Power of the Efficacy
of Natural Medicine.

If the BODY is SICK one doesn’t consume Tonic Herbs the patient
if not knowledgeable min the use of Herbalism should consult a License
Practitioner of TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine.

If a Person is knowledgeable concerning Herbs is aware a Sick Body
if Treated with Chinese Herbs must Consume a Combination of General
Herbs or Inferior Herbs the 2nd and 3rd Category of Chinese Herbology.

As an Herbalist and Practitioner of Daoist Tonic Herbalism in the Fall and Winter Months I consume Whole Herbs:

October thru Feb-March Immunity Building

1. Changbai Mountain “Reishi” 10 grams

2. “Astragalus” 10 grams

3. “Gynostemma” 10 grams

I soak these Herbs 1 hr in a 1 liter Pyrex Pot then boil 45 mins to
an hour.

I make three batches of this tea.
Each batch you Extract Constituients you didn’t get in the other batch.

When finished i have a 1 Gallon Batch of Immunity SUPER TONIC HERB POWERHOUSE.

I’ve been doing this a long time; I’ve never been Sick with FLU or Cold.

One Cup a day last me and my Sweatheart one week.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention I buy 10 lb Bags of GOJI BERRIES
and Snack on them or add 9 grams to the above Recipe.

March thru September I use a combination of JING Building Herbs.
Yin and Yang.

1. He Sho Wu 10 grams

2. Wu We Zi 9 grams

3. Gou Gui Zi 9 grams

4. Du Zhong 9 grams

Three months after using the above Combination of Tonic Herbs
I switch to a more YANG Formula incorporating Yin Yang Ho
or Ba Ji Li The Quentissential Yang Herbs For ALPHA MALE JING.

I also use the Most Potent Tongkat Ali Extract in the World Manufactured in Indonesia where I purchase by the KILO.

“I Can Only Point the Way Grasshopper
You Must Walk the Path Yourself”.